What to include in a first aid kit

Sep. 20, 2013 11:31 AM

Do you know what should be included in a first aid kit?

Written by

Mikalee Byerman, Health Source writer

If you ask a random sampling of friends and acquaintances about the most important item in their first aid kit, chances are you’ll get diverse responses.

“I'm going to say, hands down, the first aid instruction manual is the must-have essential in my first aid kit,” said Reno mom Kristen Snow. “Aside from the Band-Aid necessities and maybe gauze, the manual is very helpful, and in my opinion, essential.”

“Snake-bite kit,” said Washington D.C. attorney and former Reno resident Joshua Zive. “Never used it, but its presence in the kit was comforting.”

“I would say the different sizes of Band-Aids, the alcohol wipes and antibiotic cream are the most important elements,” offered Jeannine Morris, also of Reno. “I know I have everything at home, but keeping the kit in my car is essential for sporting events, road trips, camping, etc. I also use the little scissors a lot.”

And some would even offer that the most important component of a kit is a basic that item doesn’t even necessitate a purchase.

“Water [is the most essential item in my first aid kit],” said Reno’s Cindie Geddes. “From cleaning out cuts, counteracting heat stroke (cool cloth on the back of the neck and inner wrists), staving off dehydration, rinsing debris out of eyes and washing down medications, water is the centerpiece of my first-aid kit.”

But the bottom line: Almost all of these friends and acquaintances would agree with the importance of the kit itself.

The American Red Cross is in complete concurrence: To be prepared for emergencies, the national disaster response agency recommends people carry a first aid kit in both homes and cars. And for those who work outside of the home, it’s important to know the location of first aid kits at a place of business.

Accidents and minor emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere — including everything from a fall to a bee sting to an allergic reaction and beyond. So compiling the materials for a kit — which can be placed inside of a bag, a plastic tub or a toolbox — can be quick and painless.

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“Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together,” the Red Cross advises through its website, “make sure it has all the items you may need: Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.”

So what exactly should be included in a well-stocked first aid kit? According to Ginger Elsner, health and safety instructor with the Northern Nevada chapter of the Red Cross, there is a one-stop resource for such information.

“The Red Cross website has a comprehensive list of what needs to be included in your kit,” she said. “Or, locals can come down to our office and buy a first aid kit, already stocked.”

Of course the requisite antibiotic ointment (Neosporin), aspirin and gauze appear on the list. But some lesser-known but necessary items: a breathing barrier for administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, a blanket, a cold compress and two pairs of non-latex gloves.

In addition to the universal need for a general first aid kit to treat minor injuries and discomforts, Elsner also notes that locals should have emergency disaster preparedness kits on hand.

“These are important for natural disasters like fires and earthquakes,” she said, which are also available through the local Red Cross. “They’re contained in a backpack, so you can quickly grab it and go in case of an emergency. They have room to put your own medicine and anything you might need should a disaster occur.”